Yeah Tim, Stockton and Nash were two of the best shooters to ever play this game. You had to respect their shooting ability at all times. You don't have to respect Rondo's shooting ability at all. An opposing team would be more than willing to live and die with Rondo jumpers.

It would be tough to play this style with Rondo out there, because when Rondo doesn't have the ball defenses don't have to really worry about him.

Yeah Tim, Stockton and Nash were two of the best shooters to ever play this game. You had to respect their shooting ability at all times. You don't have to respect Rondo's shooting ability at all. An opposing team would be more than willing to live and die with Rondo jumpers.

It would be tough to play this style with Rondo out there, because when Rondo doesn't have the ball defenses don't have to really worry about him.

First of all Stockton was a pretty good shooter, not one of the best to ever play the game. Secondly, I didn't say you didn't have to respect their jumpers. And clearly an opposing team would be more than willing to live and die with Rondo jumpers. If you're going to claim that will prevent him from getting 11 assists a game you'd need to convince everyone the last 3 years didn't happen. Arguments about why Rondo's game means he can't get a ton of assists became moot in 2010 or so. Claims he can't get it done without great shooters or without the big three have fallen by the wayside as well. You might as well be explaining why Obama could never beat Romney in a presidential election.

Also, while I don't expect you'd see the exact same offense with Rondo, it's ridiculous to claim that you couldn't run it with Rondo. It's running with offensive lightweights like Lee and Bradley. Who would a defense be more concerned about getting the ball when they're wide open and 20 feet from the basket, Rondo or Bradley or Lee?

If you answer anything other than Rondo it's because (aside from the fact that they're only marginally better shooters than him, they aren't Ray or anything) you're unaware of the possibility that he might do something with the ball other than a jumper. Look at all the times Lee drives into the lane from outside the arc when they swing him the ball. If you don't think teams would be more worried if Rondo was doing that you're kidding yourself.

I love Rondo, but I completely agree with the original poster on this one. Took the thoughts right out of mind.

Going forward...this is the decision Danny has to make.

Keep Rondo as a secondary building block and fill in with personnel that suit his style. Unfortunately you will need a lead man the caliber of lebron or durant or a young pierce to make it work at a championship level. Not that easy, but it can happen.

Or

Move rondo, for a decent big and serviceable point and combine that with team we have for the remainder of kg and greens, and perhaps pierces contracts. Something along the lines of a rondo for Conley and gasol trade...or yes I would have loved if Danny gamble on an injured curry last year and did a curry/David lee for rondo package.

I love Rondo, but I completely agree with the original poster on this one. Took the thoughts right out of mind.

Going forward...this is the decision Danny has to make.

Keep Rondo as a secondary building block and fill in with personnel that suit his style. Unfortunately you will need a lead man the caliber of lebron or durant or a young pierce to make it work at a championship level. Not that easy, but it can happen.

Don't let the fact that a Rondo-led team has come close to winning a title without a lead man of that caliber get in your way.

I haven't been as excited during a celtics game like I was during that 45 second stretch last night in a long long looooong time. I felt like I was watching the thunder. It felt really good to not be bored all game because of no movement or fast breaks.

I watch watching it alone and that sequence of Jeff Green's dunk... then coasting back down the court for a block made me squeal like a little girl. I scared the hell out of my cat.

Haha I had a similar reaction, I wouldnt say I squealed but it was something in the ball park.